Galloping Forward: An Exhibition Celebrating the Year of the Horse
As the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse approaches, the exhibition Galloping Forward: The Year of the Horse Chinese New Year Cultural Exhibition is now open to the public at the National Museum of China. Hosted by the National Museum of China, the exhibition is supported by several renowned institutions.
Horses have long been indispensable companions to humans. Since their domestication, they have advanced side by side with human civilization and played an irreplaceable role in social development. Horses served as a key symbol of social hierarchy and military strength, a primary means of ensuring efficient governance and smooth material distribution, and a vital link connecting diverse civilizations along the ancient Silk Road. Throughout the evolution of Chinese civilization, horses have remained a constant and prominent presence.
Beyond their practical roles, horses were also cherished companions and emotional anchors for ancient Chinese people. Cultural expressions such as "riding a white steed with a silver saddle" that conveys youthful vigor and high spirits, "an old steed in its stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles" that embodies unyielding ambition, and the concept of "the spirit of the dragon and horse" that signifies vitality and perseverance, all reflect sincere aspirations for a better life. These sentiments bear witness to the profound cultural roots of horses in Chinese society.
Featuring over 120 fine cultural relics related to horses, the exhibition is divided into five thematic sections: Horses in the Course of Civilization, Chariots and Horses in Ritual Systems, The Craftsmanship of Horse Tack, Hoofbeats Across Thousands of Miles and Mythical Steeds in Artistic Heritage. Through these diverse perspectives, the exhibition comprehensively showcases the multifaceted roles of horses in the grand narrative of Chinese civilization, illuminating their profound cultural connotations and enduring contemporary value.
Date: Jan 30 - Apr 30, 2026
Location: 16 East Chang'an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing